The Second Coming and Eschatological Hope in Christianity
The Second Coming of Christ—termed in Greek parousia (presence), apokalypsis (revelation), or epiphaneia (appearing)—stands as the culminating event of Christian eschatology, when Jesus returns visibly to consummate history [3]. Scripture designates this event by multiple titles: "the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19), "times of restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21), and "the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13) [2, 4]. The New Testament consistently affirms that the timing remains unknown, with Jesus himself declaring that "of that day and hour no one knows" (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32) [2].
The Nature of Christian Hope
Hope constitutes one of the three cardinal Christian virtues alongside faith and love (1 Corinthians 13:13), distinguished from present possession by its orientation toward the unseen future [1]. Paul contrasts believers, who possess this hope, with unbelievers who remain "without hope" (Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13) [1]. The object of this hope is Christ himself and the resurrection he guarantees: "having hope toward God... that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15) [6]. Hebrews describes this hope as "an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19) [5], grounded not in speculation but in Christ's own resurrection, which serves as God's "assurance" that his revelation merits acceptance [7].
Eschatological Transformation
The Second Coming inaugurates cosmic renewal. Believers anticipate "new heavens and a new earth" according to divine promise (Isaiah 65:17), understood not figuratively as a metaphor for the Gospel age, but as literal re-creation following the dissolution of the present order [12]. This expectation shapes present conduct: "every one that hath this hope... purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3), a purification accomplished through Christ's indwelling Spirit [11]. The resurrection hope transforms how Christians face mortality, replacing the "earthly tent" of the present body with imperishable heavenly embodiment (2 Corinthians 5:1) [10]. Faith apprehends this future reality now, with Jesus' resurrection and the Spirit's presence serving as evidence of what awaits [9]. The Gospel ministry itself aims to bring souls "to the hope of eternal life," implanting this grace-given expectation in those previously without foundation for it [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hope — One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centred (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)." Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
- Titus “Titus 2:13 (LEB) — looking forward to the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”
- Hebrews “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; -- Hebrews 6:19”
- Acts “Acts 24:15 (ASV) — having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 1:2: In hope of eternal life,.... Or "for the hope of eternal life"; in order to bring souls to the hope of it. This is another end of the Gospel ministry, as to bring God's elect to faith in Christ, and to the knowledge and acknowledgement of the truth, as it is in Jesus, so to the hope of eternal glory and happiness: in a state of nature, they are without the grace of hope, or any true ground and foundation of it; and though it is the gift of God's grace, and is implanted on the soul by the Spirit of God in regeneration; yet the Gospel is the means of producing it at first”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 5:7: 5:7 Our hope for future resurrection can only be known by faith (see Heb 11:1, 3, 27), yet we do have Jesus’ own resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit as evidence of what is to come (1 Cor 15:1-9; Eph 1:14).”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 5:1: 5:1-10 The prospect of eternal hope is bright, with heavenly bodies replacing the dying bodies of this present life. The God of resurrection will also raise us and present us to himself with all believers (4:14). The immediate stimulus for this statement of resurrection hope was what Paul had to face in Ephesus (1:8-11). The frailty of his body reminded him of what lies beyond death, when this earthly tent we live in—that is, our body—will be taken down in death and dissolution (see 1 Cor 15:42-57; Phil 3:20-21).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:3: this hope--of being hereafter "like Him." Faith and love, as well as hope, occur in Jo1 3:11, Jo1 3:23. in--rather, "(resting) upon Him"; grounded on His promises. purifieth himself--by Christ's Spirit in him (Joh 15:5, end). "Thou purifiest thyself, not of thyself, but of Him who comes that He may dwell in thee" [AUGUSTINE]. One's justification through faith is presupposed. as he is pure--unsullied with any uncleanness. The Second Person, by whom both the Law and Gospel were given.”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:13: Nevertheless we, according to his promise,.... Or promises, as the Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin version; namely those in Isa 65:17; look for new heavens and a new earth; not figuratively, the world to come in distinction from the Jewish world or state; a new church state, the Gospel dispensation, with new ordinances, as baptism and the Lord's supper, all legal ceremonies and ordinances being gone, and everything new; for these things had taken place already, and were not looked for as future: but these phrases are to be understood literally, as the heave”